We read in James 5:15b, ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¬ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Â¦ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œThe prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¬ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â And we, as people of Christ believe that. Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â We pray for everything from healing, to work, to someone lost finding a Savior. Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â But have you ever thought about praying for the safety of your staff? Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â What about the overall ministry of your church? Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â When was the last time you asked God to put a hedge of protection around your youth ministry? Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â

We read in James 5:15b, ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¬ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Â¦ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œThe prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¬ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â And we, as people of Christ believe that. Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â We pray for everything from healing, to work, to someone lost finding a Savior. Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â But have you ever thought about praying for the safety of your staff? Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â What about the overall ministry of your church? Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â When was the last time you asked God to put a hedge of protection around your youth ministry? Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â

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Prayer is powerful. Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â When it is in tune with what God desires, it can have amazing results. Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â And so I want to encourage you to step out and consider the place of prayer in the safety, security and protection of your church staff, members, resources and ministry.

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The fourth pillar of Church Safety, then, is prayer. Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â We start by affirming the goal of, ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¬ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Â¦ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œRecognizing the threats to the faith and the power and necessity of prayer to overcome them.ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¬ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â

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Starting a Church Safety and Security Team and embracing the guidelines and changes that will be necessary for a safe church environment will be new territory for many church members and leaders. Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â It involves that big ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¬ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Â¦ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œCÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¬ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â word: CHANGE. Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Something from our past and our from deep within might be telling us that the church should not have to do safety and security. Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Somehow we believe we should be above doing those things that the world is told they must do.

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But if we will be honest with ourselves, we will recognize that just because the world is changing all around us, by adapting, we are not selling out on God. Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Actually, protecting the people, property, resources and ministries God has entrusted to our care is a faithful act of stewardship.

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With that in mind, letÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¬ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¾Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¢s look at the role prayer can have in this new ministry of protection

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For the Leaders: As the leadership embraces the need for such a ministry, seek that they will have the courage to stay strong and not be swayed or discouraged by those who may resist.

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For the Safety and Security Team: As the leadership begins assembling a team, prayer can help them in discerning the best people for this ministry.

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For the Congregation: As the team is organized and begins communicating with the congregation as to the threats and measures necessary to create a safe environment, pray that peopleÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¬ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¾Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¢s eyes and hearts will be open.

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For the Resources: Ask that God will provide the resources necessary to create a safe work and worship environment.

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For Protection: Ask God to honor the faithfulness of the team, leaders and members as they seek to protect ministry and people.

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For the Emergencies that Occur: Ask for the strength and wisdom needed during and after accidents, incidents, and emergencies.

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Prayer is indeed powerful and effective. Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â We should never begin or continue a ministry without a heavy does of it. Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â By incorporating prayer into this ministry from the very beginning, the chances of success are greatly strengthened and God is glorified.